Transportable saddle rack and equipment carrier

ABSTRACT

A saddle rack for transporting one or more saddles includes a vertical frame attached to a base frame, where the base frame has an expandable portion that telescopes out from the vertical frame. Saddle arms for supporting saddles are pivotally connected to the front of the vertical frame allowing them to swing into horizontal position and then fold down into a vertical position. Also attached to the vertical frame is a strut that is also pivotally connected to the front face of the vertical frame. The strut swings up to support the saddle arm when it is in the horizontal position. The saddle rack also includes a locking mechanism for attaching the saddle rack to a standard dolly. The use of the saddle rack in combination with the dolly allows for easy transport of the saddle rack. The saddle rack also has portions for carrying additional accessories needed for use of equestrians including a tack holder, a basket and a muck bucket clip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.09/877,339 filed Jun. 8, 2001 entitled “Transportable Saddle Rack andEquipment Carrier” by Edward J. Oliver.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to devices for transporting and storingequestrian equipment; primarily saddles, bridles and related tack items.More particularly, the invention relates to a combination of a storageframe for carrying saddles with a standard dolly to allow for easytransportation, not only in a stable setting, but also when transportinghorses and their equipment to shows and riding events. The saddle rackmay be separated from the dolly to work as a stationary storage frame.The saddle rack has folding arms to carry two saddles, as well as anexpanding bottom frame for transportation of a muck bucket or otherlarge items such as a bale of hay.

[0003] Equestrian saddles are expensive articles which requiresignificant care during transportation and storage. They may also bequite heavy, varying between approximately 35 pounds and possibly up to200 pounds for very ornate decorative saddles. The weight in combinationwith bulky size and hanging stirrups and straps makes the saddles quitecumbersome for a person to carry. Also saddles are usually made of acombination of leather and wood, both of which are pliable materialsthat have a tendency to mold the shape of the support. If the saddle isunsupported or improperly supported by being laid on a flat surface fora lengthy amount of time, the saddle becomes deformed and unsuitable forplacing on a horse's back. Additionally, there are pads on the undersideof the saddle that are specifically for cushioning the horse's back toensure that the weight of the saddle and rider rest properly on themuscle pads on either side of the horse's spine. The cushion panelsrequire periodic care and maintenance so that they remain smooth intheir shape and retain their shape in order to conform to the horse'sback and prevent injury. Therefore it is important that the saddle istransported and stored properly to prevent damage to these panels andtherefore later resulting in harm to the horse.

[0004] Additionally, saddles also have rigging attached includingstirrups and various straps that hang below and/or over the saddle.Therefore any structure for storing or transporting a saddle mustaccommodate this additional rigging. Saddles can be very difficult totransport due to the saddle shape which must be maintained in a Ugenerally resembling the horse's back to prevent damage to the saddleand the ability to handle the long stirrups and straps. In addition asmentioned previously saddles are heavy. Therefore, having an easy andconvenient way to transport the saddles without damage is important.

[0005] While other saddle racks are known in the art, they often arecapable of only carrying one saddle and are either for short term shortdistance transportation say around the home horse barn or stable and areoften very limited in their storage of other items. [U.S. Pat. Nos.5,338,049; 3,930,663; 5,791,668] Other types of saddle racks are verylarge and cumbersome, requiring special transport devices and additionalseparate supports to supply the needed storage and saddle support duringactual transportation. [U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,078]

[0006] Combination saddle racks and carriers are known in the art. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,078 shows a combination stationary rack andtransportation unit. However, the dolly used is a highly specialized onebuilt specifically for transporting the described inventive rack. Therack described is not adaptable to using a standard dolly. Also, therack requires additional stabilization to prevent the saddle supportsfrom bouncing during transportation and would have difficultyaccommodating additional equipment such as a muck bucket or a bale ofhay.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is a saddle rack that can be easilytransported by a standard dolly. When coupled, the rack and dolly act asone unit which is capable of transporting one or two saddles as well asvarious other pieces of equestrian equipment. The saddle rack is alsouseful as an independent saddle storage device with foldable saddle armsthat operate to receive saddles for transportation and storage whilemaintaining the integrity of the saddle.

[0008] The present invention addresses the needs of transporting one ortwo saddles on a conveniently separated storage rack. The inventivedevice is characterized by dual functionality of both a rack that caneasily be transported by a standard dolly, as well as having convenientfolding features to reduce the size of the rack when it is not neededfor operation. The rack carrier combination is also capable of beingused to transport other large articles such as a muck bucket or a largebale of hay as well as additional features for the storage of otheritems.

[0009] The invention has the additional benefit of having convenientlyfolding attached saddle arms that allow for easy reduction of the sizeof the rack when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a saddle rack attached to a dolly.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the saddle rack separate from thedolly.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism of the saddlerack and dolly.

[0013]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 inan open position.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side perspective of the saddle rack.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a top view showing a saddle arm and strut.

[0016]FIG. 6A is a sectional view along section 6A-6A of FIG. 6.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail showing saddle arms locked to asaddle rack in a folded down position.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of saddle rack attached to dolly.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a saddle rack carrying a muckbucket.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a saddle rack attached to adolly.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a basket assembly.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detail showing the connection of thebasket assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A saddle rack of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and isgenerally referred to as 20. Rack 20 is shown in combination with dolly22. A feature of the invention is the attachment of dolly 22 to rack 20for transportation as shown in FIG. 1. Rack 20 includes frame 24 forsupporting saddle arms 26, one of which is shown carrying a saddles.Frame 24 can also support other features such as a muck bucket M andother accessories such as the rake R.

[0024] In FIG. 2, dolly 22 is shown separated from saddle rack 20. Frame24 of saddle rack 20 includes base frame 30 attached to a lower end ofvertical frame 32. Saddle arms 26 are shown in a folded down position,parallel to vertical frame 32. Vertical frame 32 is formed by invented Umember 34 and cross pieces 36.

[0025] Attachment of the saddle rack 20 to dolly 22 is provided byfingers 38 on base 30 and locking mechanism 40 at the upper end ofvertical frame 32. Saddle rack 20 slides onto dolly 22, and fingers 38grasp the base plate B of dolly 22. Locking mechanism 40 attaches to endof dolly 22 securing saddle rack 20 to dolly 22.

[0026] Locking mechanism 40 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Lockingmechanism 40 includes handle 42, spring 44, pin 46, collar 48 (on dolly22), fingers 50, pin 52, and collar 54 (on vertical frame 32). Handle42, operates pin 46 that passes through collar 48. Handle 42 alsooperates pin 52 which passes through collar 54. The action of thelocking mechanism 40 is laterally biased by spring 44. Handle 42 isoperable for both lateral and rotational movement. Locking mechanism 40is shown in FIG. 3 in position securing frame 20 to dolly 22. Twofingers 50 hook the upper portion of dolly 22. Pin 46 is engaged throughcollar 48.

[0027] To release locking mechanism 40, handle 42 is laterally movedinward, releasing pin 46 from collar 48. Then handle 42 is rotatedupward, lifting fingers 50 away from the dolly 22 as shown in FIG. 4. Tosecure locking mechanism 40 in an open position, pin 54 is inserted intocollar 54 attached to frame 20.

[0028] Folding saddle arms 26 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 and 6.Each saddle arm 26 includes U-shaped arm 56, rear shaft 58 and centercross bar 60. Arm 56 is connected to shaft 58, which is rotatablyconnected to vertical frame 32 at sleeves 61. Cross bar 60 is attachedpreferably across U-shaped arm 56.

[0029] Each saddle arm 26 is held in a horizontal position by strut 62.At its proximal end, strut 62 is rotatably connected to the verticalframe portion 32 by sleeves 65. Clip 64 at the distal end of strut 62connects strut 62 to cross bar 60. (See FIG. 6A)

[0030] In FIGS. 5 and 6, saddle arms 26 are shown in the horizontalposition for carrying saddles. The U-shaped arm 56 supports a saddle andpreferably includes upward curved portion 66 at its distal end toprevent the saddle from sliding off during transportation. Saddle arms26 fold from a horizontal position to a vertical position when they arenot in use. To fold arms 26 downward, strut 62 is moved upward, so thatclip 64 disengages cross bar 60. This allows U-shaped arm 56 to rotatedownward into a vertical position parallel to vertical frame portion 32.Then strut 62 also rotates downward into a vertical position parallel tovertical frame portion.

[0031] The saddle arms 26 may be secured in the vertical position by aretention chain 70 and clip 72 attached to the vertical frame portion 32as shown in FIG.7.

[0032] Another feature of saddle rack 20 is telescoping base frame 30.The base frame 30 includes of proximal portion 74, distal portion 76,stop 78, lynch pin 86 and holes 82 and 84. Proximal portion 74 isattached to vertical frame portion 32 and has fingers 38 for attachmentto an upstanding lip L of bottom plate B of dolly 22, as shown in FIG.8. Distal portion 76 nests inside of proximal portion 74 and telescopesoutward to a fully extended position as shown in FIG. 8. When distalportion 76 is fully extended, stop 78 hits collar 80 to prevent distalportion 76 from disengaging proximal portion 74. Distal portion 76 issecured in the extended position by lynch pin 86 being inserted, throughhole 82 in both the distal portion 76 and the proximal portion 74.

[0033] To retract the distal portion 76 into the proximal portion 74,lynch pin 86 is removed from hole 82, allowing movement of the distalportion towards the proximal portion 74. When distal portion 76 is fullyinserted hole 84 in the distal portion aligns with hole 82 in theproximal portion allowing the securing of the distal portion in theretracted or nested position by the insertion of the lynch pin 86 intoholes 84 and 82.

[0034] Another feature of saddle rack 20 is attached collars 94 and 96for preferably holding a rake or broom. Shown in FIG. 8, lower collar 94and upper collar 96 are vertically aligned on a side face of verticalframe portion 32. Upper collar 96 is hollow allowing the handle of arake to pass through down to lower collar 94, which has a bottom to holdthe end of a handle. Rake R carried by the collars can be seen in FIG.1.

[0035] Another feature of saddle rack 20 is muck bucket clip 88 attachedto the vertical frame portion 32 as shown in FIG. 9. Muck bucket clip 88is comprised of lever arm 90 and spring-biased hinge 92. Thespring-biased hinge 92 allows the lever arm 90 to rotate from a verticalposition to a horizontal position in order to position a large bucket onbase frame 30. The spring-bias of hinge 92 forces lever arm 90 to returnto a vertical position, thereby clamping the bucket M to the verticalframe portion 32 as seen in FIG. 9.

[0036] Additional features include a bridle or tack holder 96, cupholder 98, flashlight clip 100, horn 102, mirror 104 and basket assembly106 as shown in FIG. 10. Tack holder 96 is comprised of a support bar108, hooks 110 and pin 112. Hooks 110 (preferably two) are attached tothe support bar 108 for supporting the bridle or tack. Pin 112 isattached to support bar 108. Pin 112 is received into collar 114attached to the side of vertical frame portion 32.

[0037] Basket assembly 106 is supported by dolly 22 and does not requireframe 20 to be mounted on dolly 22. Basket assembly 106 includes basket116 held by bracket 118. Bracket 118 is formed by support member 122with two upper hooks 120 and two lower hooks 124. Support member 122rests against a central support of dolly 22 while hook 120 attach to across-piece of dolly 22.

[0038] Basket assembly 106 is seen separated from the dolly in FIG. 11.Support member 122 is preferably curved to stabilize bracket 118 toreduce lateral movement of the basket assembly 106. Support member 122is preferably bent towards dolly 22 to allow bracket 118 to carry basket116 in an upright position. Bracket 118 also preferably has two lowerhooks 124 attached to upper hooks 120. Lower hooks 124 support loweredge 126 of basket 116. Basket 116 is preferably a wire frame or meshbasket. Possible alternative embodiments include a solid frame basketwith openings to accommodate lower hooks 124.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment, handle 128 is pivotally mounted onbasket 116. One end of handle 128 forms additional finger 130.

[0040] Bracket 118 also includes loop 134 and bridge 132. Bridge 132 isattached between the upper hooks 120 and supports loop 134. Loop 134captures finger 130, securing upper portion 136 of basket 108 to bracket118. In the preferred embodiment, finger 130 is parallel to handle 128.

[0041] To secure basket 116 to bracket 118, lower edge 126 is engaged inlower hooks 124. Then handle 128 is positioned vertical relative tobasket 116, allowing finger 130 to be inserted through loop 134. Whilefinger 130 is maintained position through loop 134, handle 128 isrotated to a horizontal position, likewise rotating finger 130 to ahorizontal position trapping finger 130 on the opposite side of loop 134from the basket 116. This secure upper portion 136 of basket 116 tobracket 118 as seen in FIG. 12.

[0042] Basket 116 is released by rotating handle 128 from a horizontalposition to a vertical position, thereby allowing finger 130 to passthrough loop 134, which releases upper portion 136 of basket 116. Thenbasket 116 may be lifted from lower hooks 124, thereby separating basket116 from bracket 118.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A saddle rack comprising: a vertical frame; a base frame connected tothe vertical frame; a saddle arm pivotally connected to the verticalframe for movement between a generally vertical storage position and agenerally horizontal saddle support position; and a strut pivotallyconnected to the vertical frame for movement between a generallyvertical storage position and a saddle arm supporting position.
 2. Thesaddle rack of claim 1 wherein the base frame is comprised of a forwardportion telescopically coupled to a rearward portion.
 3. The saddle rackof claim 1 further comprising a clamp attached to the vertical frame. 4.The saddle rack of claim 1 further comprising a cup holder attached to across-piece portion of the vertical frame.
 5. The saddle rack of claim 1further comprising a mirror attached to the vertical frame.
 6. Thesaddle rack of claim 1 further comprising a horn attached to thevertical frame.
 7. The saddle rack of claim 1 further comprising a lowersleeve attached to the vertical frame and an upper sleeve attached tothe vertical frame, wherein the upper sleeve portion is verticallyaligned with the lower sleeve portion.
 8. The saddle rack of claim 1further comprising a sleeve attached to the vertical frame, wherein thesleeve receives a pin attached to a bracket coupled to hooks.
 9. Thesaddle rack of claim 1 further comprising a muck bucket clip whichincludes: an arm rotatably coupled to the vertical frame, and whereinthe arm is spring-biased towards the vertical frame.
 10. A combinationof a saddle rack operably connected to a dolly, wherein the dolly has anupper frame attached to a lower platform, the combination comprising: avertical frame; a base frame attached to the vertical frame andincluding proximal portion connected to the vertical frame, a distalportion movable with respect to the proximal portion between an extendedposition and a retracted position, and a hook shaped finger for engagingthe lower portion of the dolly to couple the proximal portion to thelower portion of the dolly; a locking mechanism at an upper end of thevertical frame for engaging an upper end of the upper frame of the dollyto couple toe vertical frame to the dolly.
 11. The combination of claim10 further comprising a saddle arm pivotally connected to the verticalframe for movement between a generally vertical storage position andgenerally horizontal saddle support position.
 12. The combination ofclaim 11 further comprising a strut pivotally connected to the verticalframe for movement between a generally vertical storage position and asaddle arm supporting position.
 13. The combination of claim 10 whereinthe locking mechanism further comprises: a plurality of fingers attachedto the base frame, wherein the fingers couple to the lower platform ofthe dolly; a plurality of fingers attached to the vertical frame,wherein the fingers couple to the upper frame of the dolly; aspring-biased bolt that engages a sleeve welded to the upper frame ofthe dolly.
 14. The combination of claim 10 further comprising a basketassembly for supporting a basket from a dolly.
 15. The combination ofclaim 10 wherein the basket assembly further comprises: a plurality ofuprights wherein each upright includes an upper hook which hangs fromthe upper frame and a lower hook which supports the basket; an uppercross-piece connecting at least two uprights; a loop attached to theupper cross-piece; a lower cross-piece connecting the uprights; and abasket handle rotatably coupled to the basket, wherein a finger isattached to the basket handle, wherein the basket handle is rotatablefrom vertical to horizontal, so that the finger is captured by the loop,locking the basket to the rack.
 16. The combination of claim 10 furthercomprising means for carrying a basket.
 17. The combination of claim 10further comprising a cup holder attached to the vertical frame.
 18. Thecombination of claim 10 further comprising a lower sleeve portionattached to the vertical frame and an upper sleeve attached to thevertical frame wherein the upper sleeve portion is vertically alignedwith the lower sleeve portion.
 19. The combination of claim 10 furthercomprising a sleeve attached to the vertical frame, wherein the sleevereceived a pin attached to a bracket coupled to hooks.
 20. A saddlecarrier and transporter comprising: a dolly; a frame with a verticalportion and a base portion; a locking mechanism which couples the frameto the dolly; a pivotal saddle rack arm connected to the verticalportion of the frame; and a pivotal support strut connected to thevertical portion of the frame on the same plane as the pivotal saddlerack arm which when pivoted upwards connects to the pivotal saddle rackarm.
 21. The saddle carrier and transporter of claim 20 wherein thepivotal strut has a clamp on one end of the pivotal support strut toconnect to the pivotal saddle rack arm.
 22. The saddle carriertransporter of claim 20 wherein the pivotal saddle rack arm has a crossbar to connect with the pivotal support strut.
 23. The saddle carrierand transporter of claim 20 wherein the pivotal saddle rack arm has asecuring system for securing the arm when the arm is in a verticalposition.
 24. The securing system of claim 23 comprising of a retentionchain and clip.